Explore Our Collections

2024

THE MEETING

Then I met Ryan at a second-hand market.

He was arranging objects I'd never seen on Amazon—old cameras, hand-painted signs, vintage magazines, handmade art.

A three-hour conversation changed everything. We realized we shared the same vision: in a world of mass production, there's magic in things that take time to find, can't be replicated, and carry human stories.

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2024

THE EVOLUTION

Now we're co-founders:

Ryan haunts markets, bookshops, demolition sites, and artists' studios. He finds the things that make you curious.

I run the platform—building the site, reaching the audience. I build the bridge to bring them to you.

No algorithms. No factories. Just two people who believe different is better.

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Now

FROM MASS MARKET TO ONE-OF-A-KIND

The original idea still holds: life's too short, you can't bring wealth with you. But now we've added: you can bring stories home.

In a world of mass production, we believe there's value in things that take time to find, can't be replicated, and carry human stories.

By Leon & Ryan
Co-Founders

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Watch Our Story

Our Story

Two Co-Founders, One Mission

THE BEGINNING (2022)

I'm Leon, a British coder stuck in China during COVID.
I started "You Can't Bring It With You" to share quirky Chinese gadgets—
a reminder to live in the moment and find joy in simple things.

THE MEETING (2024)

Then I met Ryan at a second-hand market.
He was arranging objects I'd never seen on Amazon—
old cameras, hand-painted signs, vintage magazines, handmade art.
A three-hour conversation changed everything.

THE EVOLUTION (2024-Now)

Now we're co-founders:
Ryan haunts markets, bookshops, demolition sites, and artists' studios.
I run the platform—building the site, reaching the audience.

WHAT WE CURATE

We don't follow categories or time periods. We follow curiosity.

  • Things with character (objects that have lived a life)
  • Things you won't find on Amazon (handmade, vintage, unique)
  • Things that start conversations (uncommon gifts, collectibles)

WHY WE DO THIS

The original idea still holds: life's too short, you can't bring wealth with you.
But now we've added: you can bring stories home.

In a world of mass production, we believe there's value in things
that take time to find, can't be replicated, and carry human stories.

FROM MASS MARKET TO ONE-OF-A-KIND

Ryan finds the things that make you curious.
I build the bridge to bring them to you.

No algorithms. No factories. Just two people who believe different is better.

By Leon & Ryan
Co-Founders

WHY WE DO THIS

The original idea still holds: life's too short, you can't bring wealth with you. But now we've added: you can bring stories home.

In a world of mass production, we believe there's value in things that take time to find, can't be replicated, and carry human stories.

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Our Promise

No algorithms. No factories. Just two people who believe different is better.

Every item we curate is a conversation starter, a story waiting to be told, a reminder that the best things in life can't be mass-produced.

By Leon & Ryan
Co-Founders of You Can't Bring It With You

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OUR BELIEFS / WHAT WE STAND FOR

These are the principles that guide every decision we make, every item we curate, and every interaction we have with our community.

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What We Stand Against

We Reject

The status quo of mass consumption

  • ✕ Mass production and homogenization
  • ✕ Algorithm-driven recommendations
  • ✕ Fast consumption and waste
  • ✕ Soulless products
  • ✕ Superficial commodification of culture
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What We Stand For

We Choose

Authenticity and intentionality

  • ✓ Curation over convenience
  • ✓ Authenticity over efficiency
  • ✓ Human connection over algorithmic optimization
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THE BEGINNING (2022)

I'm Leon, a British coder stuck in China during COVID.

I started "You Can't Bring It With You" to share quirky Chinese gadgets—a reminder to live in the moment and find joy in simple things.

The idea was simple: life's too short, and you can't bring wealth with you. But you can bring home stories, memories, and moments that matter.

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Our Visual Story

Example product title

$19.99 USD
$19.99 USD

Your collection's name